Monaco Earth Day Swim 2008

For the second year, the Monaco Earth Day Swim was held on April 22^nd. This edition saw swimmers from five nations take to the waters of Monaco to support the environment. Mr. Paul Masseron – Department of the Interior, and the Police Maritime, worked together with the Mr. Pierre Bouchet - Office of Maritime Affairs, to create a much larger event then in 2007. Kayaks from the Yacht Club of Monaco and the Societe Nautique, were safety support this year, as well as two motorized boats working with Pierre Frolla’s Ecole Bleu. And same as last year, the Police Maritime were completely involved with security planning and being on the water to survey the course.

This event is not a race but more so a way to have people in the water – enjoying its beauty and taking the time to see Monaco from a new perspective. Swimmers are allowed to use masks, snorkels and fins to help them along.

The start was at the Capitanierie of the Port of Fontvielle with almost all the swimmers fearlessly and artistically jumping into the 15 degree water with their green Monaco Earth Day Swim balloons. I took the ladder! Monegasque bobsledder Charles Oula Siehe launched the starting balloons and we all took off with dozens of supporters cheering us on. As the swimmers made it through the water, Casino Supermarche transported all the participants’ belongings in red recycled shopping cabas over to the finish line. George Dick (AMAVE) and Romain Veziano (CFM) made the voyage via an electric car and an electric bike respectively. 

This year, I was able to take some pauses along the course to take pictures and to make sure everyone was OK. It was the most amazing feeling to see the line of swimmers in front of the Oceanographic Museum with their balloons in the air and the sun hitting the waves. I also was able to witness the cheering onlookers along the whole route – something that had happened last year too but I was not able to hear them.

Thankfully, the two medusas that I saw, decided to remain a few meters under water thus no one had any problems.

The Digue was just as long this year, but the current was in the right direction so it felt much easier than last time. One by one, we hit the beach – everyone made it!!! The sensation of knowing that you have crossed Monaco by water is like no other. The expressions of satisfaction, pride and exhaustion were seen on all the faces and everyone promised to do it again next year.

By having so many swimmers and kayaks on the sea, we attracted people to ask questions and discover that it was Earth Day. People followed the balloons over to beach to find out what was happening and they too became interested in participating and asking how to help next year.

After our Petit Dej of croissants and cafes at Mona’Show, we had gift lotto. We had a very generous collection of prizes: Les Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo – day passes, Egyptian Cotton Sarongs; SMEG – gift bags; CFM - tickets for the Monaco Carlo Tennis tournament; pool entries for the Stade; and Monte Carlo beach towels.

For the Monaco Earth Day Swim there are no trophies. All participants are winners for making this incredible swim and they all received an olive tree to mark their accomplishment.

As a group, we discussed the day and what we could do next year. The unanimous decision was made to add some activities geared towards children. For the third edition, we are aiming at 100 swimmers and 10 kayaks. The 2009 Monaco Earth Day Swim will also receive international coverage and include educational activities concerning water management and environmentally friendly water play.